Methods, Systems, and Products for Detection of Environmental Conditions

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and products monitor the environmental conditions in an enclosed environment, such as a garage or storage shed. If a dangerous environmental condition is determined, such as elevated carbon monoxide, an entry door may be opened. If further remedial measures are required, ignition of an internal combustion engine may be prohibited.

COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its attachmentscontain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patentand Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Harmful exposure to noxious gases is well documented. For example, theill effects of carbon monoxide are well known, yet hundreds of peopleare poisoned every year by operating a vehicle in a closed garage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments arebetter understood when the following Detailed Description is read withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic illustrating an environment in whichexemplary embodiments may be implemented;

FIGS. 2-4 are more detailed block diagrams illustrating the operatingenvironment, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating locational determination of avehicle, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 6-7 are schematics further illustrating parking determinations,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 8-9 are more detailed block diagrams of an environmental monitor,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 10-11 are schematics illustrating notifications, according toexemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 12-13 are schematics illustrating discovery and connection,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 14-15 are schematics further illustrating the locationaldetermination of the vehicle, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 16-17 are schematics illustrating a parameter database, accordingto exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a controller area network (or“CAN”) 200, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 19-20 are flowcharts illustrating an algorithm for monitoringenvironmental conditions, according to exemplary embodiments; and

FIGS. 21-23 are schematics further illustrating the operatingenvironment, according to exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodimentsmay, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete and will fully convey the exemplary embodiments to those ofordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein recitingembodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended toencompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include bothcurrently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in thefuture (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function,regardless of structure).

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the likerepresent conceptual views or processes illustrating the exemplaryembodiments. The functions of the various elements shown in the figuresmay be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well ashardware capable of executing associated software. Those of ordinaryskill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware,software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described hereinare for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limitedto any particular named manufacturer.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,”“including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood thatwhen an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” toanother element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the otherelement or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected”or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled.As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first device could be termed asecond device, and, similarly, a second device could be termed a firstdevice without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic illustrating an environment in whichexemplary embodiments may be implemented. FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle20 parked in a closed environment 22, such as a garage 24 or otherstorage location. The vehicle 20 has a transceiver 26 that receives asignal 28 sent from an environmental monitor 30. The signal 28 containsinformation describing the environmental conditions 32 within the closedenvironment 22. The environmental monitor 30, for example, may interfacewith one or more environmental sensors 34 to determine the level ofcarbon monoxide (CO) 36 within the garage 24. As most readersunderstand, if the vehicle's engine 38 runs while parked in the garage24, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide 36 may develop. The signal 28may thus indicate the level of carbon monoxide 36 within the garage 24,as determined by the environmental monitor 30. Exemplary embodiments maythus open a garage door 40 to reduce the carbon monoxide 36 within thegarage 24. Indeed, should the level of carbon monoxide 36 becomedangerous, exemplary embodiments may even stop ignition and/or fuel tothe engine 38, thus ceasing production of harmful carbon monoxide 36.Exemplary embodiments may implement other actions based on any otherenvironmental condition 32, as later paragraphs explain.

FIGS. 2-4 are more detailed block diagrams illustrating the operatingenvironment, according to exemplary embodiments. Here the vehicle 20 hasat least one vehicle controller 50 that interfaces with the vehicletransceiver 26 (illustrated as “TX/RX”). The vehicle controller 50 has aprocessor 54 (e.g., “μP”), application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or other component that executes a vehicle-side application 56stored in a memory 58. The vehicle-side application 56 is a set ofprogramming, code, or instructions that instruct the processor 54 toperform operations. The processor 54, for example, instructs the vehicletransceiver 26 to receive the signal 28 sent from the environmentalmonitor 30. As the vehicle 20 may be a so-called “smart” or “connected”car or truck, the vehicle-side application 56 may be downloaded using acommunications network (such as WI-FI® or cellular). The vehicle-sideapplication 56 may thus be a module or “app” that is downloaded to thevehicle 20. However, the vehicle 20 may also interface with a mobiledevice to receive the signal 28 sent from the environmental monitor 30,as FIG. 21 later explains.

The environmental monitor 30 may also be processor controlled. As FIG. 2also illustrates, the environmental monitor 30 has a processor 60 (e.g.,“μP”), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or othercomponent that executes a monitor-side application 62 stored in a memory64. The monitor-side application 62 is a set of programming, code, orinstructions that instruct the processor 60 to perform operations. Theprocessor 60, for example, obtains one or more output signals 66generated by the environmental sensor(s) 34. Because there are manyknown interfaces to many different sensors, no detailed explanation isneeded, for any interface is applicable. For simplicity, the outputsignal 66 may represent the level of carbon monoxide 36 within thegarage (illustrated as reference numeral 24 in FIG. 1). Later paragraphswill describe other sensory factors.

The environmental monitor 30 may also interface with other sensors. Forexample, the processor 60 may obtain the output signal 66 generated by adoor sensor 70. The door sensor 70 produces the output signal 66indicating a position 72 of the garage door 40. The door sensor 70 maysense whether the garage door 40 is in a fully opened position or in afully closed position. The door sensor 70 may sense any other position72, such as partially open at ¼, ½, or ¾ positions from fully open orclosed. Because there are many known door and/or position sensors, nodetailed explanation is needed.

The environmental monitor 30 sends the signal 28. Once the outputsignal(s) 66 is/are received, the processor 60 generates the signal 28having parameters that describe the environmental conditions 32 withinthe closed environment (illustrated as reference numeral 22 in FIG. 1).Again, for simplicity, the signal 28 may represent the level of carbonmonoxide 36 within the garage 24. Because the processor 60 may alsointerface with the door sensor 70, the signal 28 may additionally oralternatively include another parameter or value that indicates theposition 72 of the garage door 40. The environmental monitor 30 maywirelessly broadcast the signal 28 from a transceiver 74.

FIG. 3 further illustrates the signal 28. The transceiver 26 in thevehicle 20 receives the signal 28 transmitted from the environmentalmonitor 30. The processor 54 in the vehicle controller 50 interfaceswith the transceiver 26 to obtain the informational content in thesignal 28. As FIG. 3 illustrates, the signal 28 may have differentvalues or informational content, depending on the environmentalconditions 32 (within the closed environment 22) and/or the position 72of the garage door (illustrated as reference numeral 40 in FIG. 1). An“OK” signal 28, for example, may indicate that the garage door 40 is“open” and there is no CO alarm in the environment. A “NOKD” (or “Not OKDoor”) may indicate that garage door 40 “closed” (or “not open”). The“NOKG” (or “Not OK Gas”) signal 28 may indicate that the environmentalmonitor 30 has determined a CO gas alarm in the environment. The “NOKDG”(or “Not OK Door & Gas”) may indicate that the garage door is “closed”and there is a critical CO alarm in the environment.

As FIG. 4 illustrates, the vehicle controller 50 processes the signal28. The signal 28 transmitted from the environmental monitor 30 mayindicate the environmental conditions 32 and/or the position 72 of thegarage door 40. The processor 54 in the vehicle controller 50 may thenperform operations, based on the signal 28. For example, the vehiclecontroller 50 may determine a location 80 of the vehicle 20. If thevehicle 20 is parked inside the garage 24 (as FIG. 1 illustrates), andthe signal 28 is “OK,” then the vehicle controller 50 may permitignition and fuel, thus permitting the internal combustion engine 38 tooperate. That is, even though the vehicle 20 is parked inside the garage24, no elevated carbon monoxide is detected, so the engine 38 may bestarted.

Exemplary embodiments may continuously monitor for environmentalconcerns. The vehicle-side application 56 may be initiated as soon as anignition key is inserted or an ignition switch is depressed. That is,the processor 54 may execute the vehicle-side application 56 at any timeor moment before and during ignition. Any time the engine 38 is running,exemplary embodiments may survey the signal 28 for the environmentalconditions 32 and the position 72 of the garage door 40. The vehiclecontroller 50 may then perform operations, such as determining thelocation 80 of the vehicle 20. If the vehicle 20 is located outside thegarage 24, then perhaps the engine 38 may operate. However, if thevehicle 20 is located inside the garage 24, then actions may be taken toensure safe environmental conditions 32.

When the engine 38 is running inside the garage 24, actions are taken.If the position 72 indicates the garage door 40 is “closed,” or the COlevel exceeds some threshold level, the environmental monitor 30 changesits signal 28 to “NOKD,” “NOKG,” or “NOKGD” (as above explained). As thevehicle-side application 56 causes the vehicle controller 50 to receiveand analyze the signal 28, the processor 54 may issue an engine command82 to immediately stop ignition and/or fuel to the engine 38, thushalting combustion. The vehicle controller 50 may also enter an alarmstate 84 of operation requiring notification (as later paragraphs willexplain). Likewise, if the signal 28 is “NOK,” the vehicle controller 50stops the engine 38 and enters the alarm state 84 of operation.

Exemplary embodiments may warn of any dangerous environmental conditions32. Whenever the environmental monitor 30 detects high or dangerousenvironmental conditions 32 (from the outputs 66 of the sensors 34, asFIG. 2 illustrates), the environmental monitor 30 may also enter thealarm state 84 of operation. The environmental monitor 30 may generatean audible warning, which is output by a speaker or siren. Theenvironmental monitor 30 may also generate an “OPEN” command thatinstructs a door opener to open the garage door 40. Even the vehicle 20may take action to reduce the high or dangerous environmental conditions32, such as also redundantly generating and transmitting an “OPEN”command to open the garage door 40. The vehicle controller 50 may alsoactivate an audible car alarm or horn, activate the hazard flashersand/or headlights, and display a warning message on a display of aninstrument panel.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating the locational determination of thevehicle 20, according to exemplary embodiments. As the above paragraphsmention, exemplary embodiments may determine the location 80 of thevehicle 20. The location 80 of the vehicle 20 helps determine whetherthe engine 38 should combust fuel, producing carbon monoxide and manyother emissions. Exemplary embodiments may preferably determine thelocation 80 of the vehicle 20 based on the signal 28 broadcast from theenvironmental monitor 30. Whenever the transceiver 26 in the vehicle 20receives the signal 28, the processor 54 in the vehicle controller 50may calculate or determine a signal strength 90 of the signal 28. Theprocessor 54 may then compare the signal strength 90 to one or morethreshold values 92. The threshold value 92 is selected to correspondwith a known location 80 of the vehicle 20. One of the threshold values92, for example, may be predetermined or calibrated with the signalstrength 90 at which the vehicle 20 is fully inside the garage 24. Ifthe signal strength 90 equals or exceeds the threshold value 92, thenthe vehicle 20 may be assumed parked inside the garage 24. If the signalstrength 90 is less than the threshold value 92, then the location 80 ofthe vehicle 20 may be assumed outside the garage 24.

FIGS. 6-7 are schematics further illustrating parking determinations,according to exemplary embodiments. The threshold value 92 may beconfigured when the vehicle 20 is parked in the garage 24. When a driverparks the vehicle 20 in the garage 24, the driver may manually set thethreshold value 92 of the signal strength 90 of the signal 28. Thevehicle controller 50 may cause a graphical user interface (“GUI”) 100to be produced on a display device 102. The graphical user interface 100may have a graphical control or selection for indicating a “parked”location 80 of the vehicle 20. The display device 102 may have acapacitive input touch screen layer, thus allowing the driver's fingerto touch and select a “parked” option 104. Selection of the graphicalcontrol may cause the vehicle controller 50 to determine the signalstrength 90 of the signal 28 in the parked location 80. This signalstrength 90, at the parked location 80, is stored as one of thethreshold values 92. Any measurement or calculation of the signalstrength 90 that is less than the threshold value 92 may indicate thevehicle 20 is located outside the garage 24.

As FIG. 7 illustrates, the threshold value 92 may be based on movement.Most people will install the environmental monitor 30 on a garage wallthat faces the vehicle 20. Indeed, a manufacturer or seller may instructdrivers to mount the environmental monitor 30 in a frontal wall positionto the vehicle. As the vehicle 20 drives into the garage 24, the vehicle20 will approach the environmental monitor 30, thus increasing thesignal strength 90 of the signal 28 received from the environmentalmonitor 30. The signal strength 90 may continually increase as thevehicle 20 approaches the environmental monitor 30. At some location 80the driver will stop forward movement, apply the brakes, and select a“Park” gear position 110 on a transmission. The signal strength 90 ofthe signal 28 received from the environmental monitor 30 will havereached a final value 106. As most people park in approximately the samelocation 80 in their garage 24, the final value 106 of the signalstrength 90 may be historically observed within some small range 108 ofvalues. That is, the vehicle controller 50 may maintain a log 110 of thefinal values 106 of the signal strength 90 at which speed is zero (0)and/or the transmission “Park” gear position 110 is selected. As the log110 grows with entries, the vehicle-side application 56 may cause theprocessor 56 to calculate a mean value and standard deviation. Wheneverthe signal strength 90 is within the historical range 108 of values, thevehicle controller 50 may infer that the vehicle 20 is parked in thegarage 24.

Exemplary embodiments, however, may use GPS information. As the readermay know, many vehicles have a GPS receiver that determines the currentlocation 80 of the vehicle 20. While exemplary embodiments may use theGPS coordinates to determine when the vehicle 20 is parked in the garage24, the civilian Global Positioning System may not be accurate enough toconfidently raise or lower the garage door 40. The civilian GlobalPositioning System currently only has an accuracy of about nine (9)meters, and atmospheric conditions may further reduce this accuracy.Moreover, GPS signals are severely attenuated indoors, further degradingreception inside the garage 24. Current GPS technology alone, then,cannot confidently open or close the garage door 40 without riskingdamage to the vehicle 20.

FIGS. 8-9 are more detailed block diagrams of the environmental monitor30, according to exemplary embodiments. The environmental monitor 30receives the output signals 66 from the environmental sensors 34. Theenvironmental monitor 30, for example, may have an internal or externalCO detector for determining the level of carbon monoxide. Theenvironmental monitor 30 may also interface with the door sensor 70 toreceive the position 72 of the garage door 40. The environmental monitor30 thus analyses the output signals 66 in order to understand theenvironmental condition(s) and garage door status. The processor 60instructs a radio signal modulator 120 to create the signal 28describing the environmental conditions 32 and/or the position 72 of thegarage door 40. The processor 60 also instructs the transceiver 74 totransmit the signal 28 using an antenna 122. The environmental monitor30 may receive electrical power from a battery, an AC power adapter, orrenewable energy source. The environmental monitor 30 may thusautomatically open the garage door 40 should the CO gas level becritically high and the engine ignition is switched on.

The signal 28 transmitted from the environmental monitor 30 ispreferably low energy. Even though the environmental monitor 30 may beAC powered, many users/drivers may not have a nearby AC electricaloutlet in their garage. Moreover, should a power outage occur, theenvironmental monitor 30 may be inoperable. Exemplary embodiments, then,may prefer to utilize battery power for simple, continuous operation.The environmental monitor 30, then, may have low power consumption usingBLUETOOTH® LOW ENERGY radio componentry. The environmental monitor 30may thus broadcast the signal 28 for years using a single, smallerbattery. Exemplary embodiments, however, may utilize any portion of theelectromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard.

FIG. 9 illustrates additional networking options. Here the environmentalmonitor 30 may interface with any communications network 130. Theenvironmental monitor 30, for example, may send messages to, and receivemessages from, the vehicle controller 50 using a local area network(such as a WI-FI® network) and/or a wide-are network (such as a cellularnetwork). The environmental monitor 30 may utilize any packetizingprotocol (such as any of the Internet protocols) and address packets ofdata to a network address associated with the vehicle controller 50.Exemplary embodiments, however, may be applied regardless of networkingenvironment. The communications network 130 may utilize any portion ofthe electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard (such as theI.E.E.E. 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellularstandard, and/or the ISM band). The communications network 130 may alsoutilize a radio-frequency domain and/or an Internet Protocol (IP)domain. The communications network 130, however, may also include adistributed computing network, such as the Internet (sometimesalternatively known as the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, a local-areanetwork (LAN), and/or a wide-area network (WAN). The communicationsnetwork 130 may also include coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber opticlines, and/or hybrid-coaxial lines. The communications network 130 mayeven include powerline portions, in which signals are communicated viaelectrical wiring. The concepts described herein may be applied to anywireless/wireline communications network, regardless of physicalcomponentry, physical configuration, or communications standard(s).

FIGS. 10-11 are schematics illustrating notifications, according toexemplary embodiments. Here exemplary embodiments may notify ofhazardous environmental conditions 32 detected by the environmentalmonitor 30. The environmental monitor 30 may be configured to alert ofany particular environmental condition 32, such as an elevated level ofcarbon monoxide 36. Whenever some threshold environmental condition 32is determined, the monitor-side application 62 may cause theenvironmental monitor 30 to retrieve one or more notification addresses140. The environmental monitor 30 may then generate and send anotification message 142 to each one of the notification addresses 140.The vehicle-side application 56 may also cause the vehicle controller 50to retrieve the notification addresses 140 and send similar notificationmessages 142. Each notification message 142 routes into and through thecommunications network 130 to a destination device associated with thenotification address 140. Exemplary embodiments may thus alert friends,family, and emergency personnel to the environmental conditions 32detected in the garage 24.

FIG. 11 illustrates security notifications. Many homes and businessesmay have a security system for protection against intruders and fire.The environmental monitor 30 may thus have an interface to an alarmsystem controller 150. The environmental monitor 30 may thus continuallyor periodically inform the alarm system controller 150 to theenvironmental conditions 32 detected in the garage 24. Whenever athreshold environmental condition 32 is determined, environmentalmonitor 30 may send a message or command to the alarm system controller150. The alarm system controller 50 may then contact a centralmonitoring server 152, thus notifying a central monitoring station.Emergency personnel may thus be summoned, as is generally known.

FIGS. 12-13 are schematics illustrating discovery and connection,according to exemplary embodiments. In FIG. 12 the environmental monitor30 may broadcast, or advertise, itself within the enclosed environment(such as the garage 24, as FIG. 1 illustrates). That is, theenvironmental monitor 30 may continuously, randomly, or periodicallysent its signal 28. The vehicle controller 50 may instruct thetransceiver 26 to continuously, randomly, or periodically scan forpredefined advertising channels. As the vehicle 20 approaches or entersthe garage 24, the vehicle controller 50 detects the transmitted signal28 within its reach.

FIG. 13 illustrates connection. When the vehicle controller 50 detectsthe transmitted signal 28, the vehicle-side application 56 causes thevehicle controller 50 to generate a connection request, which istransmitted from the vehicle transceiver 26 using one of the advertisingchannels. Once a connection is established, the environmental monitor 30sends the predefined signal 28 (e.g., OK, NOKD, NOKG, or NOKDG)according the environment conditions 32. The vehicle controller 50detects the network address (e.g., MAC address) in the signal 28transmitted from the environmental monitor 30. The vehicle controller 50measures the signal strength 90 (e.g., electromagnetic power) of thetransmitted signal 28 and compares to the threshold value(s) 92. Thevehicle controller 50 may thus use the signal strength 90 to determinewhether the vehicle 20 is inside or outside of the garage 24 (as earlierparagraphs explained). If the signal strength 90 indicates the vehicle20 is inside the garage 24, the vehicle controller 50 inspects thetransmitted signal 28 and executes the predefined operations (such asstopping the engine 38 under alarm conditions).

FIGS. 14-15 are schematics further illustrating the locationaldetermination of the vehicle 20, according to exemplary embodiments. AsFIG. 14 illustrates, the driver parks the vehicle 20 in the garage 24.Once the vehicle 20 is in the parked position, the vehicle controller 50may prompt the driver to affirm the parked position. The vehiclecontroller 50, for example, may generate an audible message that isoutput by the vehicle's sound system. A graphical message may instead bedisplayed on the display device (illustrated as reference numeral 102 inFIGS. 6-7). Regardless, the driver may be prompted to make some inputconfirming the parked position. The vehicle controller 50 may thenexecute a setup routine that scans for the signal 28 transmitted fromthe environmental monitor 30. The vehicle controller 50 measures thesignal strength 90 and records the measured value (such as“RSSI_inside”).

As FIG. 15 illustrates, the driver may also indicate an outsidelocation. Here the driver parks the vehicle 20 outside the garage 24 toensure clearance of the garage door 40. The vehicle controller 50 thenprompts the driver to make another input indicating the vehicle 20clears the garage door 40. The vehicle controller 50 then again scansfor the signal 28 transmitted from the environmental monitor 30. Thevehicle controller 50 measures the signal strength 90 and records themeasured value (such as “RSSI_outside”).

Inferences may then be made. While the vehicle 20 is inside, themeasured RSSI value will be higher than RSSI_outside (due to morepowerful radio signal) and equal to or lower than RSSI_inside. Thevehicle controller 50 thus determines that the vehicle 20 is inside. Inthis case, the vehicle controller 50 inspects the beacon signal 28 andproduces alarms, warnings, and stops the engine 38, if necessary. Whilethe vehicle is outside, the measured RSSI value will be equal to orlower than RSSI_outside. In this case, the vehicle controller 50determines that the vehicle 20 is outside. When the vehicle 20 isoutside, there may not be a need to stop the engine 38, so perhaps onlywarning messages are displayed.

FIGS. 16-17 are schematics illustrating a parameter database 160,according to exemplary embodiments. Here exemplary embodiments maypopulate entries in the parameter database 160 based on the signals 28transmitted by the environmental monitor 30. The parameter database 160may thus associate different parameters 162 to operational rules 164.The parameter database 160 is illustrated as being locally stored in thememory 58 of the vehicle controller 50, but the parameter database 160may additionally or alternatively be maintained in the environmentalmonitor 30. The parameter database 160 may even be remotely stored andaccessed using the communications network 130. The parameter database160 is illustrated as a table 166 that maps, relates, or associates thedifferent parameters 162 in the signal 28 to a corresponding rule 164.Once the signal 28 is received, the vehicle controller 50 (and/or theenvironmental monitor 30) queries the parameter database 160 for therule 164 associated with the parameters 162. The corresponding rule 164is retrieved and executed.

FIG. 16 only illustrates a few different rules 164. If the signal 28indicates that the position 72 of the garage door 40 is “open” and thereis no elevated CO parameter 36, then the corresponding rule 164 mayrequire no operation. That is, no harmful carbon monoxide is detected,and the garage door 40 is already open, so ignition is permitted.However, if the position 72 of the garage door 40 is “closed,” and the“NOKG” parameter 36 is determined, then the corresponding rule 164 opensthe garage door 40. Exemplary embodiments may only partially open thegarage door 40 to alleviate the “NOKG” signal 28. That is, rules may bedefined that do not require fully opening the garage door 40, especiallywhen the “NOKG” signal 28 is only slightly elevated. Indeed, differentlevels of carbon monoxide may be associated to different positions 72 ofthe garage door 40. Smaller levels of carbon monoxide may only requirethat the garage door 40 be opened to a ¼ position, whereas higher levelsmay be associated with ¾ or fully open. Even though FIG. 16 onlyillustrates a few entries in the parameter database 160, in practice theparameter database 160 may have many entries reflecting differentenvironmental conditions and positions.

FIG. 17 adds temperature considerations. Here the environmental monitor30 may interface with a temperature sensor (not shown for simplicity) toobtain a temperature 170 within the garage 24. When the environmentalmonitor 30 transmits the signal 28, the signal 28 may thus includeinformation or content describing the temperature 170 within the garage24. The parameter database 160 may thus further include entriesaccounting for the temperature 170 within the garage 24. As the readermay understand, any opening of the garage door 40 may have costpenalties, especially in winter months when heating bills may escalate.The rules 164 may thus also be a function of the temperature 170 withinthe garage 24, such that carbon monoxide is alleviated withoutexcessively opening the garage door 40, thus reducing heating bills.

Exemplary embodiments may consider other sensory factors. For example, ahumidity sensor may generate a humidity reading within the garage 24.The garage door 40 may be opened, or closed, based solely on thehumidity reading within the garage 24. Similarly, garage door 40 may beopened, or closed, based solely on the temperature 170 within the garage24. A glass breakage sensor may generate a signal indicating glass hasbeen broken somewhere in the garage 24. Exemplary embodiments may thusdisable the vehicle 10 to thwart a thief.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a controller area network (or“CAN”) 200, according to exemplary embodiments. As the reader mayunderstand, the vehicle 10 may have many electronic systems controllingmany components and systems. For example, the engine 38 may have anengine controller 202 (or electronic control unit or “ECU”). Thetransmission may have a powertrain electronic control unit 204. Thebraking system may have a brake electronic control unit 206. There maybe many more electronic control units throughout the vehicle 10. Thecontroller area network 200 thus allows all the various electroniccontrol units to communicate with each other. A CAN bus 208, forexample, allows the various electronic control units to send and receivemessages that are addressed to one or more of the electronic controlunits. Any of these controllers may execute some or all of thevehicle-side application 56 and the monitor-side application 62.

FIGS. 19-20 are flowcharts illustrating an algorithm for monitoringenvironmental conditions, according to exemplary embodiments. An inputis received indicating the vehicle 20 is parked inside the garage (Block220). The signal 28 is received (Block 222) and its signal strength 90is measured (Block 224) and stored as an inside threshold value (Block226). Another input is received indicating the vehicle 20 is parkedoutside the garage (Block 228). The signal 28 is again received (Block230) and its signal strength 90 is measured (Block 232) and stored as anoutside threshold value (Block 234).

The algorithm continues with FIG. 20. Future signals 28 are received(Block 236) and their signal strengths 90 are measured (Block 238) andcompared to the threshold values (Block 240). The inside parked locationis inferred based on the comparison to the inside threshold value (Block242), while the outside parked location is inferred based on thecomparison to the outside threshold value (Block 244).

FIGS. 21-23 are schematics further illustrating the operatingenvironment, according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 21 illustrates thevehicle controller 50 embedded within an automotive interior 300 of thevehicle 20. The automotive interior 300 has many buttons, switches, andother conventional controls for operating the vehicle 20, so theconventional details need not be explained. However, FIG. 21 illustratesan instrument panel 302 into which the display device 102 may bemounted. As the reader may realize, many vehicles have a display forproviding touch-based controls and options (such as HVAC, entertainment,navigation, and diagnostic selections). Here, then, the vehiclecontroller 50 may interface with the display device 102 embedded withinor mounted to the instrument panel 302. The vehicle controller 50generates the graphical user interface 100 for display on the displaydevice 102. The vehicle controller 50 may thus generate prompts andreceive inputs, as this disclosure explains.

Exemplary embodiments may thus be a factory offering. As more automotivemanufacturers adopt mobile operating systems, some or all of thevehicle-side application 304 may be an “app” that is downloaded to thevehicle 20 for execution. A manufacturer or dealer of the vehicle 20 maythus pre-install the vehicle-side application 304 to help reduce COexposure. For example, a component supplier may preload the vehicle-sideapplication 304 to some memory component. However, the vehicle-sideapplication 304 may even be retrofitted during a download using anover-the-air network update. That is, a supplier or server downloads thevehicle-side application 304 to the vehicle 20 for execution.

FIG. 22 illustrates a mobile device 310. The mobile device 310 isillustrated as a tablet computer (such as an APPLE® IPAD®), but themobile device 310 may be any other processor-controlled device (such asa smartphone). Regardless, the mobile device 310 may interface with thevehicle 20 to measure the signal strength 90, as this disclosureexplains. FIG. 22, for example, illustrates the mobile device 310docking with the instrument panel 302. The mobile device 310 may thusinterface with the controller area network 200 (illustrated in FIG. 18)to reduce CO emissions, as this disclosure also explains. The mobiledevice 310, in other words, may download and store some or all of thevehicle-side application 304 to a memory (not shown for simplicity). Aprocessor (also not shown for simplicity) executes the vehicle-sideapplication 304. The mobile device 310 may thus cooperate with thevehicle 20 to measure the signal strength 90 and to determine thelocation of the vehicle 20, as this disclosure explains.

FIG. 23 also illustrates the mobile device 310. Here, though, the mobiledevice 310 is illustrated as a smartphone 312, which is enlarged forclarity. The mobile device 310 may interface with the vehicle 20 toreceive the signal 28 from the environmental monitor 30. As the readermay understand, mobile devices commonly interface with the vehicle 20 topermit hands-free operation and many other functions. The mobile device300 may download, store, and/or execute a device-side application 314,which is a set of programming, code, or instructions that cooperate withthe vehicle-side application 56 and/or the monitor-side application 62.Should elevated carbon dioxide levels be determined, the mobile device310 may thus play a role in reducing CO emissions, as this disclosurealso explains.

Exemplary embodiments may be physically embodied on or in acomputer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable medium mayinclude CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, memory card, USB, andlarge-capacity disks. This computer-readable medium, or media, could bedistributed to end-subscribers, licensees, and assignees. A computerprogram product comprises processor-executable instructions formonitoring environmental conditions, as the above paragraphs explained.

While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect tovarious features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilledin the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited.Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplaryembodiments.

1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a receiver in a vehicle, a signalindicating an environmental condition and a closed position of a door toa garage; determining, by a processor in the vehicle, a signal strengthof the signal; determining, by the processor based on the signalstrength, that the vehicle is located inside the garage; and generating,by the processor, a command to open the door to the garage.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising comparing the signal strength to athreshold value.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising generatinganother command to cease operation of an engine in the vehicle.
 4. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising determining the signal strengthexceeds the threshold value, indicating that the vehicle is locatedinside the garage.
 5. The method of claim 2, further comprisingdetermining the signal strength is less than or equal to the thresholdvalue, indicating that the vehicle is located outside the garage.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising retrieving a notification address.7. The method of claim 6, further comprising sending a notification tothe notification address to alert of the environmental condition.
 8. Avehicle, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions thatwhen executed causes the processor to perform operations, the operationscomprising: receiving, at a receiver in the vehicle, a signal indicatingan environmental condition and a closed position of a door to a garage;determining a signal strength of the signal; determining that thevehicle is located inside the garage based on the signal strength; andgenerating a command to open the door to the garage.
 9. The vehicle ofclaim 8, wherein the operations further comprise comparing the signalstrength to a threshold value.
 10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein theoperations further comprise generating another command to ceaseoperation of an engine in the vehicle.
 11. The vehicle of claim 9,wherein the operations further comprise determining the signal strengthexceeds the threshold value, thus indicating that the vehicle is locatedinside the garage.
 12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the operationsfurther comprise determining the signal strength is less than or equalto the threshold value, thus indicating that the vehicle is locatedoutside the garage.
 13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the operationsfurther comprise retrieving a notification address.
 14. The vehicle ofclaim 13, wherein the operations further comprise sending a notificationto the notification address to alert of the environmental condition. 15.A memory storing instructions that when executed causes a processor toperform operations, the operations comprising: receiving a signal by areceiver in a vehicle, the signal indicating an environmental conditionin a garage and a closed position of a door to the garage; determining asignal strength of the signal received by the receiver; determining,based on the signal strength, that the vehicle is located inside thegarage; and generating a command to open the door to the garage.
 16. Thememory of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise comparingthe signal strength to a threshold value.
 17. The memory of claim 16,wherein the operations further comprise generating another command tocease operation of an engine in the vehicle.
 18. The memory of claim 16,wherein the operations further comprise determining the signal strengthexceeds the threshold value, thus indicating that the vehicle is locatedinside the garage.
 19. The memory of claim 15, wherein the operationsfurther comprise determining the signal strength is less than or equalto the threshold value, thus indicating that the vehicle is locatedoutside the garage.
 20. The memory of claim 15, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: retrieving a notification address; and sending anotification to the notification address to alert of the environmentalcondition.